Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-01-08
Tomatoes.

E. p. Roe, in Harper's Magazine
for January: The tomato has Gu
rious history. Native of South Amer
lea, like the potato, it is said to have
been introduced into England as early
as 1896. Many years elapsed before
it was used rs a food, and the botani-
cal name given to it was significant
of the estimation in which it was held
by our forefathers. 1t was called
Lycopersicum-a compound term
meaning wolf and peach, indicating
that, Notwithstanding its beauty, it
was regarded as sort of "Dead Sea
fruit" The Italians first dared to
use it freely. The French followed,
after cycling it askance as a novelty
for unknown years, John Bull VEN
tured to taste, and having survived,
began to eat with increasing gustO.
To our grandmothers in this land the
ruby fruit was given as "love-apples,"
and adjoining quaint old bureaus,
were devoured by dreamy eyes long
before canning factories were ken of
even as Yankees vision. Now, to-
matOes vie with the potato as gen
eral article food, and one can scarce
ly visit quarter of the globe so re-
mote but he will find that the tomato
can has been there before him. Its
culture is so easy that one year had
bushels Of the finest fruit from plants
that grew here and there by chance.
Skill is required only in producing an
early crop, and to secure this end the
earlier the plants are started in spring
the better. Those who have glass
will experience no difficulty what
ever. The seed may be
Sown in a greenhouse as early as jan
uary, and the plants potted when
three inches high, transferred to larger
pots from time to time as they grow,
and by the middle of May put into
the open ground, full of blossoms and
immature fruit. Indeed, plants start
ed early in the fall, will give in a
greenhouse good supply all winter.
They also grow readily in hotbed5,
cold frames, and sunny windows.
We usually can buy well-forwarded
plants from those who raise them for
sale. If these areset out early in May
on sunny slope, they mature rapid
iy, and give an early yield. The to-
rnato is very sensitive to frost, and
should not be in the open ground be-
fore danger from it is over. Through
out May we may find plants for sale
everywhere. If we desire to try dis
tinct kinds with the least trouble, we
can SOW the seed about May |, and in
our climate enjoy an abundant yield
in September or before. In the cool,
humid climate of England the to-
mato is usually grown en- espalier,
like the peach, along sunny walls and
fences, receiving as careful summer
pruning as the grapevine. With us
they are usually left to prawl over the
ground at will. BY training the vines
over various kinds of supports, how.
ever, they can be madeas ornamental
as they are useful. The ground on
which they grow, should be only
moderately fertile, or else there is toe
great growth of vine at the.eXpense
of fruit. This is especially true if we
wish an early yield, and in this case
the warmest, driest soil is necessary
But comparatively few years age
the tomato consisted of little more
than a rind with seeds in the hollow
center. Now, the only varieties worth
raising cut as solid as a mellow pear
The following is Gregory's list o.
varieties: Livingston's Beauty
Alpha, Acme, Canada Victor, Ar
lington, Gen. Grant. l will ado
Trophy and Mikado. If a yellow
variety isdesired, try Golden Trophy.
The training of children in those
matters which mark good breeding